Method of storing data in mobile terminal having digital multimedia broadcasting function

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal and a method for storing data in the mobile terminal including a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) function are provided. The method for storing data includes setting reservation information, when a reservation storage function is selected in a DMB mode, determining a program start time point and a channel according to the set reservation information through Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information and converting the DMB mode to a sleep mode, activating the DMB mode and identifying Event Information Table (EIT) information of currently received first data and a second data to be received, if a current time point is equal to the program start time point, storing the first data, if the EIT information of the first data is included in the reservation information, otherwise, determining whether the EIT information of the second data is included in the reservation information, and receiving and storing the second data

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Jan. 22, 2008 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2008-0006590, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of storing data in a mobileterminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobileterminal and a method for storing data by controlling an active state ofa Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) mode in the mobile terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

As mobile terminals become widely used, user demand increases for mobileterminals having various functions as well as a communication function.The various functions in the mobile terminal may include a DMB function,a Moving Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) function, a camerafunction and the like.

The DMB function is provided in mobile terminals and performs atelevision function. The DMB function has an advantage in that a usercan view a program regardless of a time and a place.

More particularly, the user can select a channel for providing onlymusic data and verify the music data through the DMB function. Whenspecific music data selected by the user are reproduced, the user canstore the reproduced music data using a recording function. However,when the user does not use the DMB function, if the music data requestedby the user are broadcast, the music data cannot be stored. Further,when the user uses a reservation storage function in the mobileterminal, data selected by the user and an entire program is stored.Thus, a large amount of storage space of the mobile terminal isconsumed.

Therefore, a need exists for a mobile terminal and a method for storingrequested data in the mobile terminal while consuming a small amount ofstorage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a mobile terminal and method for storing datarequested by a user by controlling a DMB function in the mobileterminal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method ofstoring data is provided. The method includes setting reservationinformation, when a reservation storage function is selected in aDigital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) mode, determining a program starttime point and a channel according to the set reservation informationthrough Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information and converting theDMB mode to a sleep mode, activating the DMB mode and identifying EventInformation Table (EIT) information of a currently received first dataand a next second data to be received, if a current time point is equalto the program start time point, storing the first data, if the EITinformation of the first data is included in the reservationinformation, determining whether the EIT information of the second datais included in the reservation information, if the EIT information ofthe first data is not included in the reservation information, andreceiving the second data and storing the second data, if the EITinformation of the second data is included in the reservationinformation.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mobileterminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a broadcastingreception unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal transmittedfrom a broadcasting station, an input unit for selecting a DigitalMultimedia Broadcasting (DMB) mode, a controller for receiving thedigital broadcasting signal from the broadcasting reception unit, forsetting reservation information, when a reservation storage function isselected in the DMB mode, for determining a program start time point anda channel according to the set reservation information throughElectronic Program Guide (EPG) information, for tuning to the determinedchannel and converting the DMB mode to a sleep mode, for activating theDMB mode and indentifying Event Information Table (EIT) information of acurrently received first data and a next second data to be received, ifa current time point is equal to the program start time point, a storageunit for storing the first data, if the EIT information of the firstdata is included in the reservation information, and a display unit fordisplaying the determined channel and program start time point.

Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobileterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing reservation dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a screen for inputting reservationinformation according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing data ofreservation information according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of controlling a sleepmode when data not included in reservation information is receivedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of storing data accordingto a reception time point of data included in reservation informationaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructionsare omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

In the following description, Electronic Program Guide (EPG) informationis digital broadcasting program information. The EPG informationincludes detailed information on a broadcasting schedule, includingbroadcasting programs, broadcasting times as a start time point of aprogram and an end time point of program thereof and correspondingbroadcasting channels. Further, the EPG information may include EventInformation Table (EIT) information for a specific program, which isdetailed information regarding data reproduced at the program andincludes a reception time point of specific data information, a starttime point of reproduction of specific data information and an end timepoint of reproduction of specific data information. With respect tomusic data, the EIT information includes information, such as a singer,a title, a genre, a composer, a lyric writer, a performing musician,lyrics and a total duration (reproduction time period) of the musicdata.

The data includes all data received through a broadcasting receptionunit, and may include image data, sound data and character datanecessary for reproducing a program. In general, data are received in apacket format wherein the packet includes a header and a body. In thiscase, the header contains information related to the packet includingEIT information and the body contains data. The EIT information includesinformation regarding data that is currently received and next data tobe received through a broadcasting reception unit. In the case of musicdata, the EIT information includes information, such as a singer, atitle, a genre, a composer, a lyric writer, a performing musician,lyrics, a start time point of data and next data, and an end time pointof data and next data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobileterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal includes a broadcastingreception unit 110, a storage unit 120, a controller 130, a display unit140, an input unit 150 and an audio processor 160.

The broadcasting reception unit 110 receives a digital broadcastingsignal transmitted from a broadcasting station through an antenna andtransmits the received digital broadcasting signal to the controller130.

The storage unit 120 stores various programs for controlling generaloperations of the mobile terminal and various data generated whileoperating the mobile terminal. More particularly, the storage unit 120stores reservation information for classifying data for storage frombroadcasting data received by control of the controller 130. Further,the storage unit 120 stores the data classified according to the storedreservation information by the control of the controller 130.

The controller 130 controls general operations of the mobile terminaland controls a state of units constituting the mobile terminal. Thecontroller 130 further includes a data processor 135 for demodulating adigital broadcasting signal received through the broadcasting receptionunit 110 to broadcasting data. The controller 130 classifies digitalbroadcasting program information (hereinafter, EPG information) in thedemodulated broadcasting data. The controller 130 stores EPG informationthat includes detailed data information in the storage unit 120.

The controller 130 controls the storage unit 120 to store thereservation information selected for classifying data for storage. Thecontroller 130 determines the detailed data information (hereinafter,EIT information) included in the stored EPG information. The controller130 determines whether the determined EIT information is included in thereservation information. If the determined EIT information is includedin the reservation information, the controller 130 determines a starttime of a program using the stored EPG information including thedetermined EIT information.

The controller 130 activates a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)function according to the determined start time of the program. Thecontroller 130 determines if EIT information is included in a packetreceived from the broadcasting reception unit 110. The EIT informationin the received packet includes information regarding currently receiveddata and next data to be received. Using the EIT information, thecontroller 130 activates the DMB function and determines whether thereceived data is stored. While the data are being stored, the controller130 controls the display unit 140 to display a notification that thedata are being stored and to reproduce the data.

The display unit 140 displays various information related to the stateand operation of the mobile terminal. The display unit 140 displays anactive state of the DMB function by the control of the controller 130.Further, the display unit 140 may reproduce data while being stored inthe storage unit 120 by the control of the controller 130. The displayunit 140 may display that the data is being stored.

The input unit 150 receives user input signals related to numeral andcharacter information, setting of various functions, a function controlof the mobile terminal and the like, and outputs the input signals tothe controller 130. The input unit 150 may be formed with a touch screenor with a conventional key input unit 150.

The audio processor 160 includes a microphone (MIC) and a speaker (SPK).The audio processor 160 modulates a sound signal input through themicrophone (MIC) to sound data and transmits the modulated sound data tothe controller 130. The audio processor 160 also demodulates sound datareceived from the controller 130 to a sound signal and outputs thedemodulated sound signal through the speaker (SPK).

In the mobile terminal, when a data reservation storage function isselected through the input unit 150, the controller 130 converts a DMBmode to a sleep mode. When the DMB mode is converted to the sleep mode,the controller 130 uses EPG information included in broadcasting data todetermine a start time point and an end time point of a programincluding desired data. When a current time point reaches a start timepoint of the program including the desired data, the controller 130activates the DMB mode to replace the sleep mode, and stores thereceived data. The reception start time point of data requested by theuser is determined by the controller 130 through EIT informationincluded in a packet header that is received through the broadcastingreception unit 110. If a current time point is not a reception timepoint of the data requested by the user, the controller 130 remains inthe sleep mode. Accordingly, the controller 130 sustains the DMB mode inthe sleep mode until a reception start time point of the data requestedby the user.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing reservation dataaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a DMB mode is selected through the input unit150, the controller 130 converts a mode of the mobile terminal to theDMB mode in step S210. The controller 130 controls the display unit 140to display an initial screen of the DMB mode.

The controller 130 determines whether a data reservation storagefunction is selected by the user in step S215. If a data reservationstorage function is selected through a menu or through function keysprovided in the input unit 150, the controller 130 controls the displayunit 140 to display a reservation information input window for inputtingreservation information necessary for storing data in step S220. Thereservation information input window may be displayed as shown FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a screen for inputting reservationinformation according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the reservation information input window isclassified to input a reservation word based on an item. For example, ifdata to be stored is music data, the controller 130 controls the displayunit 140 to display the reservation information input window in order toinput reservation information based on a singer, a title and a genre, asshown in FIG. 3.

The controller 130 determines whether the input of reservationinformation is completed in step S225. Completion of input ofreservation information to the reservation information input window isconfirmed by pressing a confirm key.

If the input of reservation information is completed, the controller 130controls the display unit 140 to display a selection window forselecting execution of a reservation storage function in step S230.

The controller 130 determines whether execution of a reservation storagefunction is selected in step S235. If execution of the reservationstorage function is selected through the input unit 150, the controller130 stores the reservation information input to the reservationinformation input window in the storage unit 120. Here, an executionperiod of a reservation storage function may also be set.

The controller 130 determines a channel and a program start time pointincluding data corresponding to reservation information through thereceived EPG information in step S240. The controller 130 controls thedisplay unit 140 to display the determined channel and program starttime point. Here, a plurality of channels and programs including thedata requested by the user may exist. In this case, the controller 130selects a channel having a program broadcasting start time point closestto the current time point.

The controller 130 tunes to the determined channel in step S245 andconverts the DMB mode to a sleep mode in step S250.

The controller 130 stores the received broadcasting data correspondingto the reservation information in step S255.

The storing of the received broadcasting data corresponding to thereservation information in step 255 is described in detail withreference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing receivedbroadcasting data corresponding to reservation information according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when performing the sleep mode in step S250 of FIG.2, the controller 130 determines whether a current time point is equalto a start time point of a program including data requested by the userin step S410. The program start time point is previously determinedthrough the EPG information and stored in the storage unit 120 by thecontroller 130.

When a current time point is equal to a determined program start timepoint, the controller 130 activates the DMB mode from the sleep mode instep S415.

The controller 130 identifies EIT information in a currently receivedfirst data through the broadcasting reception unit 110 in step S420. TheEIT information may include detailed information of the currentlyreceived first data and a next second data to be received. For example,if the received data are music data, the EIT information of the firstdata and the second data may include information regarding a singer, agenre and a time duration of a song. More particularly, the EITinformation may include information corresponding to a reception starttime point of music data, an end reception time point of music data anda time point at which next music data are to be received.

The controller 130 determines whether the EIT information of thecurrently received first data is included in the stored reservationinformation in step S425. For example, if a ballade is included in theEIT information of the currently received first data, the controller 130determines whether the user stored a ballade as a genre in thereservation information.

If the EIT information of the currently received first data is notincluded in the stored reservation information, the controller 130determines whether the EIT information of the next second data isincluded in the stored reservation information in step S435.

If the EIT information of the currently received first data is includedin the stored reservation information, the controller 130 stores thecurrently received first data in the storage unit 120 in step S430.

The controller 130 determines whether the EIT information of the nextsecond data is included in the stored reservation information in stepS435.

Details regarding the EIT information of the second data that is notincluded in the stored reservation information is described withreference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of controlling a sleepmode when EIT information of received data is not included in the storedreservation information according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, if the EIT information of the next second data isnot included in the stored reservation information in step S435, thecontroller 130 determines a reception time point of next third datathrough the end time point of the second data included in the EITinformation in step S5 10.

The controller 130 then converts the DMB mode to the sleep mode in stepS515.

The controller 130 determines whether a current time point is equal to atime point at which the third data are to be received in step S520. Whena current time point is equal to a time point at which the third dataare to be received, the process returns to step S415 in FIG. 4 and thecontroller 130 activates the DMB mode.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the EIT information of the next second data isincluded in the stored reservation information in step S435, thecontroller 130 determines a time point at which the second data are tobe received in step S440. The controller 130 also determines whether acurrent time point is equal to a time point at which the second data areto be received in step S445.

When a current time point is equal to a time point at which the seconddata are to be received, the controller 130 controls the storage unit120 to store the received second data in step S450.

Details of a current time point that is not equal to a time point atwhich the second data are to be received is described with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of storing received dataaccording to a reception time point of data included in reservationinformation according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, if a current time point is not equal to a timepoint at which the second data are to be received in step S445, thecontroller 130 converts the DMB mode to the sleep mode in step S610.

The controller 130 determines whether a current time point is a timepoint at which the second data are to be received in step S615.

If a current time point is a time point at which the second data are tobe received, the controller 130 activates the DMB mode in step S620. Theprocess then returns to step S450 in FIG. 4, and the controller 130controls the storage unit 120 to store the received data.

The controller 130 determines whether a current time point is equal to atime point at which the program ends in step S455.

If a current time point is not equal to a time point at which theprogram ends, the process returns to step S420.

If a current time point is equal to a time point at which the programends, the process returns to step S260 in FIG. 2.

Returning to FIG. 2, the controller 130 determines whether thereservation storage function is terminated in step S260.

If the reservation storage function is terminated by the user or if theset reservation storage period is completed, the controller 130determines that the reservation storage function is terminated.

If the reservation storage function is not terminated, the processreturns to step S240 and the controller 130 determines a next channeland a program start time point including data corresponding to thestored reservation information. Accordingly, when a plurality ofchannels and programs including the reservation information exist, thecontroller 130 may store requested data.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments the presentinvention, when the mobile terminal is in a sleep mode, if requesteddata is received, the mobile terminal may revert to a DMB mode and storeonly the requested received data.

Further, the mobile terminal may reduce battery consumption bycontrolling an active state of a DMB function using EIT informationincluded in EPG information.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for storing data, the method comprising: setting reservationinformation, when a reservation storage function is selected in aDigital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) mode; determining a program starttime point and a channel according to the set reservation informationthrough Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information; tuning to thedetermined channel and converting the DMB mode to a sleep mode;activating the DMB mode and identifying Event Information Table (EIT)information of a currently received first data and a second data to bereceived, if a current time point is equal to the program start timepoint; storing the first data, if the EIT information of the first datais included in the reservation information; determining whether the EITinformation of the second data is included in the reservationinformation, if the EIT information of the first data is not included inthe reservation information; and receiving the second data and storingthe second data, if the EIT information of the second data is includedin the reservation information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thereceiving and the storing of the second data comprises receiving thesecond data and storing the second data, if a current time point isequal to a time point at which the second data are to be received. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising: converting the DMB mode tothe sleep mode, if a current time point is not equal to a program starttime point; and activating the DMB mode, and receiving and storing thesecond data, if a current time point is equal to a time point at whichthe second data are to be received.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining a time period at which third data is to bereceived next from the EIT information, if the EIT information of thesecond data is not included in the reservation information; andconverting the DMB mode to the sleep mode.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising activating the DMB function, if a current time pointis equal to a time point at which third data are to be received.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the reservation information comprises atleast one of a singer, a title and a genre.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the EIT information comprises at least one of a singer, a title,a genre, a time duration of corresponding data and a time point at whichnext data are to be received.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the EITinformation comprises a reception start time point of music data, an endreception time point of music data and a time point at which next musicdata are to be received.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining whether a current time point is equal to a time point atwhich the program ends.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingdetermining whether the reservation storage function is terminated, if acurrent time point is equal to a time point at which the program ends.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a nextchannel and a program start time point comprising data corresponding tothe stored reservation information, if the reservation storage functionis not terminated.
 12. A mobile terminal comprising: a broadcastingreception unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal transmittedfrom a broadcasting station; an input unit for selecting a DigitalMultimedia Broadcasting (DMB) mode; a controller for receiving thedigital broadcasting signal from the broadcasting reception unit, forsetting reservation information, when a reservation storage function isselected in the DMB mode, for determining a program start time point anda channel according to the set reservation information throughElectronic Program Guide (EPG) information, for tuning to the determinedchannel and converting the DMB mode to a sleep mode, for activating theDMB mode and indentifying Event Information Table (EIT) information of acurrently received first data and a second data to be received, if acurrent time point is equal to the program start time point; a storageunit for storing the first data, if the EIT information of the firstdata is included in the reservation information; and a display unit fordisplaying the determined channel and program start time point.
 13. Themobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller determines whetherthe EIT information of the second data is included in the reservationinformation, if the EIT information of the first data is not included inthe reservation information.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 13,wherein the controller determines a time period at which third data areto be received next from the EIT information, if the EIT information ofthe second data is not included in the reservation information, andconverts the DMB mode to the sleep mode.
 15. The mobile terminal ofclaim 14, wherein the controller activates the DMB function, if acurrent time point is equal to a time point at which the third data areto be received.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein thecontroller receives the second data, if the EIT information of thesecond data is included in the reservation information.
 17. The mobileterminal of claim 16, wherein the controller receives the second dataand the storage unit stores the second data, if a current time point isequal to a time point at which the second data are to be received. 18.The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the controller converts the DMBmode to the sleep mode, if a current time point is not equal to aprogram start time point, and activates the DMB mode and receives thesecond data, if a current time point is equal to a time point at whichthe second data is to be received.
 19. The mobile terminal of claim 12,wherein the reservation information comprises at least one of a singer,a title and a genre.
 20. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein theEIT information comprises at least one of a singer, a title, a genre, atime duration of corresponding data and a time point at which next dataare to be received.